14 Lessons in Romance: Surviving a Decade in Publishing | Talk Spicy to Me

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between. In Season 2, Episode 3, hosts Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by special guest Melanie Harlow for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about surviving a decade in romance publishing. 💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me 02:35 – Patreon & After Dark episodes 03:20 – Season sponsors 04:23 – Introducing Melanie Harlow 10:47 – The Spice Report (Hot Salsa only) 22:36 – Melanie Harlow's origin story 27:17 – Changing covers & reader backlash 35:11 – Staying in your lane & long-term growth 36:10 – Balancing creativity and business 49:28 – Discipline, routine & keeping joy in writing 53:14 – Taking risks & trying traditional publishing 56:06 – Adaptation vs emulation of trends 57:20 – Protecting your peace & consistency 01:17:31 - Red Flag / Green Flag 01:23:52 - Reader Question: Have you ever completely abandoned a project?   Melanie Harlow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanie_harlow/ Website: https://www.melanieharlow.com/   BOOK CLUB PICK A.L. Jackson From Here to Eternity (Moonlit Ridge, Book 1) Link: https://geni.us/FHTEAmznOP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aljacksonig Website: https://www.aljacksonauthor.com/ Join us for the From Here to Eternity discussion on February 18th.   SEASON SPONSORS Lena Hendrix Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1) Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1 Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix   Willow Aster What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2) Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes Website: https://www.willowaster.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/   WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE Talk Spicy to Me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast   Hosts Giana Darling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor Website: https://gianadarling.com/ Kandi Steiner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner Website: https://kandisteiner.com/   AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive) Want the uncensored conversation? This week: Aging With An Audience Join the Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and exclusive content:https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast   Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author interviews, and spicy romance discussions.